Deed So by Katharine A. Russell

'Deed so' is the response of the people of a small Maryland town when presented with a truth.  In the area I grew up, people responded with a prompt 'Amen!' instead.  For example:  'We sure have seen enough snow this winter!'  'Amen!' or 'Deed so!'

Haddie is a young girl having to deal with a life of turmoil.  It's the early 60's.  Racism is still a huge issue as well as that of the Vietnam war.  That doesn't even pull into play the normal issues of a child her age, such as experimenting with things she shouldn't and overprotective parents.

This was another wonderful coming of age novel.  I started reading last night and just finished it.  I had a horrible time putting it down.  I was sucked completely into Haddie's world.  Katharine is a great storyteller.  For me it was comparable to the Jackie Lee Miles book I just reviewed a few days ago.  They both tell the story of a young girl on the cusp of womanhood who deals with problems that no child should have to deal with.  Where Jackie Lee wrote with the length and stature of a 12 or 13 year old child, Katharine writes more as an adult looking back. Another major difference is that Jackie Lee's book delved intimately into the emotions and thoughts of the main character, while this one skimmed the surface.  Instead of being intimate, we get to know what she's thinking and feeling, though most of the time we aren't actually thinking and feeling it along with her.

For me, this was a bit of a difficult read for one reason.  It holds some powerful happenings.  I actually had to stop and put the book down at one point because I was sobbing uncontrollably.  It wasn't just that I was into the story, but I could so easily see myself in the character's position since I have similar issues myself.  If you're strongly repelled by racism, physical disabilities, mental disabilities or war, you may want to give this book a second thought before picking it up.  The harsh realities of these things are brought to light in this book and it's not always pretty.  Thankfully, the silver linings are there, you just have to look closely for them.

I strongly suggest this for you novel readers out there.  It was an enjoyable read with lovable characters.  I found my heart breaking in several spots and in others I found myself rejoicing.  I fell in love with this small nest of a town and I was sorry to see it end. 

Katharine also writes the Pointer Mystery Series under the name Kath Russell.